6.1.2 Describing Wave Motion

• What does wave motion refer to?

  Wave motion refers to the way waves travel through a medium or vacuum, carrying energy without transferring matter.
• What are the two main types of wave motion?

  • Transverse Waves: Particles move at right angles to the wave direction.
  • Longitudinal Waves: Particles move in the same direction as the wave.
• What is amplitude in wave motion?

  Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its rest position.
• How is amplitude related to the energy of a wave?

  Larger amplitude means more energy in the wave.
• What is wavelength?

  Wavelength (λ) is the distance between two consecutive points that are in phase on the wave.
• How is frequency defined in wave motion?


  Frequency (f) is the number of complete waves that pass a given point in one second.
• What unit is frequency measured in?

  Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz).
• What does a higher frequency indicate?

  A higher frequency means more waves pass a point each second.
• What is the period of a wave?

  The period (T) is the time taken for one complete wave to pass a given point.
• How is the period related to frequency?

  The period is the reciprocal of frequency, given by $T =$$\frac{1}{f}$.
• What is wave speed?

  Wave speed (v) is the speed at which the wave travels through the medium.
• How can wave speed be calculated?

  Wave speed can be calculated using the formula: $v =$$f \times \lambda$.
• What does phase refer to in wave motion?

  Phase refers to the position of a point in the wave cycle.
• What is the motion of particles in a transverse wave?

  In a transverse wave, the motion of the particles is perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
• Give an example of transverse wave motion.

  Shaking a rope up and down creates a transverse wave.
• What is the motion of particles in a longitudinal wave?

  In a longitudinal wave, the motion of the particles is parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
• Give an example of longitudinal wave motion.

  Pushing and pulling a slinky creates compressions and rarefactions in a longitudinal wave.
• How can wave motion be described using graphs?

  • Displacement-Time Graph: Shows how displacement changes over time; peaks represent crests or compressions, troughs represent troughs or rarefactions.
  • Displacement-Distance Graph: Shows displacement of all points on the wave at a single instant; helps visualize wavelength and amplitude.
• What are the behaviors of waves?

  • Reflection: Wave bounces back after hitting a barrier; angle of incidence equals angle of reflection.
  • Refraction: Wave changes direction entering a new medium; speed change causes bending.
  • Diffraction: Wave spreads out passing through a gap or around obstacles; extent increases with wavelength.
  • Interference: Waves meet and combine; can lead to constructive or destructive interference.
• What is the equation for wave speed?

  The equation for wave speed is $v =$$f \times \lambda$.
• What is the equation for frequency?

  The equation for frequency is $f =$$\frac{1}{T}$.
• What are practical examples of wave motion?

  • Water Waves: Demonstrate transverse wave motion on the surface of the water.
  • Sound Waves: Represent longitudinal wave motion through compressions and rarefactions in the air.
• What should be focused on to describe wave motion effectively?

  • Characteristics of the wave: amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and wave speed.
  • Type of wave: transverse or longitudinal.
  • Wave behavior: reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference.
  • Use of graphs and equations for analysis.